[Use of acetaminophen in the community].
Acetaminophen (Acamol) is one of the most widely used medications in children. The recommended dose is 10-15 mg/kg every 4 hours, and up to 5 doses a day. In a prospective study in an outpatient clinic, 101 parents of children 5 years old or younger were asked to describe their use of acetaminophen for their children, including dose, mode administration and maximal frequency of administration for fever. 2/3 used the syrup and 1/3 used suppositories. The average single dose was 13.8 +/- 5.5 mg/kg. Only 61% of the children received reasonable quantities of acetaminophen per dose. While 12% got an overdose of 20 mg/kg or more, 27% got an underdose of less than 10 mg/kg. Treatment was as often as every 2-3 hours in 13% of the children but only once every 8-24 hours in 22%. To overcome inadequate administration of acetaminophen, parents must be properly educated.
Guberman
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Dept. of Family Medicine, Kupat Holim, Jerusalem.
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004304:Dosage Forms; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education
D004304:Dosage Forms; D000082:Acetaminophen